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AJ meets William for the first time. |
LaRoche — my mother Betty’s maiden name, which she once shared with her sister Joan — means “rock” in French. The name is fitting, as my Aunt Joan LaRoche has always been my rock. I can’t remember a time in which she hasn’t been there for me, both while growing up and well into adulthood. She’s never missed a birthday and has been there for so many pivotal moments of my 47 years on the planet.
Last month she was in a terrible car accident, one she was lucky enough to escape with her life. Following the accident, my mind went straight to all the moments we have shared together through the years and the important role she has played in my life. When I was young she would often take me cross country skiing on the Swedetown trails. I was your typical wimpy ass, whiny child on these excursions and she would always coax me along with the promise of a new Garfield book if I could make it to the end of the trail. These skiing adventures were the number one reason I had quite the Garfield book collection. As I grew older, her work as a microbiologist lab tech at Calumet Public Hospital (now known as Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital), came in handy whenever I had a science project to work on at school. Her strong Catholic faith guided me through the years, as she was my sponsor for confirmation and encouraged me to overcome my fear of public speaking and serve as a lector, just like her. Although I no longer consider myself a Catholic, I have great respect for her faith and what it means to her.
Last month she was in a terrible car accident, one she was lucky enough to escape with her life. Following the accident, my mind went straight to all the moments we have shared together through the years and the important role she has played in my life. When I was young she would often take me cross country skiing on the Swedetown trails. I was your typical wimpy ass, whiny child on these excursions and she would always coax me along with the promise of a new Garfield book if I could make it to the end of the trail. These skiing adventures were the number one reason I had quite the Garfield book collection. As I grew older, her work as a microbiologist lab tech at Calumet Public Hospital (now known as Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital), came in handy whenever I had a science project to work on at school. Her strong Catholic faith guided me through the years, as she was my sponsor for confirmation and encouraged me to overcome my fear of public speaking and serve as a lector, just like her. Although I no longer consider myself a Catholic, I have great respect for her faith and what it means to her.
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Dollar Bay High School Parents Night - 1993 |
For many years she lived with my Grandma Linda, eventually serving as her main caregiver when Alzheimer's disease descended upon her. Aunt Joanie and Grandma Linda were always a pair, and both were there for me for my high school’s parents night, when my mom and dad were away on a trip to Florida. Aunt Joanie and my mom brought me and my best friend Kristin to see our first ever live concert — the ever so dreamy Harry Connick, Jr., in Milwaukee at the Marcus Amphitheater. I still have a t-shirt from that show and remember it fondly. Aunt Joanie always made time for me — attended most all of my basketball games (even though I was a major bench warmer), swim meets and band concerts. She photographed my high school graduation photos — the ones where I look like Blossom — and even made it to my college graduation all the way down in Ann Arbor. So many of these moments are documented in photographs, which seems fitting seeing how one of her favorite hobbies for many years was photography. She introduced me to the craft and I used to assist her with shooting the occasional wedding. I was mostly there for moral support, as she’d tend to get pretty nervous and I don’t envy photographing weddings before digital cameras were a thing.
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University of Michigan graduation - December 1997 |
Two things my Aunt Joanie loves are travel and coffee. She has traveled all over the world and when I was a kid would bring back the best souvenirs. Six years ago, the ladies in our family made it to New York City to celebrate my mom’s 70th birthday, taking in a Broadway show and making it to the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Tribute Museum. At the time I was six-months pregnant with my youngest, who incidentally was born on September 11th. Most recently she’s traveled to Italy and has been able to spend time with cousins she managed to track down through her genealogical work. She’s been working hard to learn Italian and we’ve been discussing plans for another ladies trip, this time to Italy. Lucky for Aunt Joanie, Italy has no shortage of good coffee. I have never known anybody who drinks more coffee than Aunt Joanie. She beats me out on my own love of coffee. This woman can drink anyone under the table, drinking coffee any time of the day. I try to avoid drinking it after 5 p.m., as I know it will disturb my ability to fall asleep. I will, however, make an exception and drink coffee after 5 p.m. if I’m with my aunt. Because nothing is quite as enjoyable as sitting around my mother’s kitchen table, eating Christmas cookies and fudge while drinking coffee with Aunt Joanie, even if it is 7 p.m. and I’ll be up all night. It’s totally worth it, both for the treats and for the good company.
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My wedding - August 22, 2009 |
Along with being very involved with her family, Aunt Joanie has been very active with her community and church. Through the years she’s been active with Main Street Calumet and Pasty Fest, even being awarded volunteer of the year back in 2005. She is caring, reliable, and giving and I’m lucky to call her my aunt. Unlike so many others who give so much of themselves, she’s completely unassuming, never expecting anything in return for all she gives.
Five years ago I slipped on some ice while visiting my parents over Christmas and broke my left leg pretty badly. I ended up at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital, the same hospital Aunt Joanie and my mom had worked at for many years and needed surgery. The surgery was scheduled on my birthday in the very same hospital where I was born. I was convinced I was going to die in surgery — coming full circle. My mom was busy looking after my two boys while I was in the hospital and my husband Adam was back in Minneapolis. Who do you think was at my bedside through this drama? My rock, my Aunt Joanie, of course. She even helped me get my hands on a cell phone charger, because I just had to document my broken leg experience.
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A visit to the apple orchard with Grandma Betty and the boys |
Aunt Joanie, now more commonly referred to as AJ, has been there for the next generation, too, as a wonderful great aunt to mine and my siblings' children. She never misses the opportunity to send them a card with a ten dollar bill for Valentines Day or Halloween. She never misses a birthday and even made it out to Seattle for my nephews’ high school graduation and my niece’s high school plays. I feel lucky my sons get to experience the same love I grew up with from this wonderful lady.
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Christmastime at Grandma Betty's |
And now Aunt Joanie faces an uphill battle as she recovers from extensive injuries that would even be tough for the slightly more famous Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to overcome. As hard as the road ahead will be, I know she can do it. There are countless more cups of coffee to be drunk and Italian words to master. She will always have the love and support from her family, a family that has benefited so much through the years from this incredible and unwavering rock of a woman. We love you Aunt Joanie!
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The LaRoche sisters |
